Human Transit

catching up

I have every intention of returning to the major recent post driverless cars, which has a remarkably thoughtful comment thread, and to other deferred topics like the gondolas that are soon to liberate Austin.  Meanwhile, however, I have to make a living.  Consulting is always either slack or wildly-more-than-fulltime, and I'm now in one of the latter phases.  Please peruse the backlist, including the 2012 favorites.  There's something on this site that's as good as new.  

 

 

 

my most "liked" posts of 2012

For the New Year weekend, here are the most "liked" posts of 2012 based on the Facebook like button.  (The button was only added recently, and not everyone likes Facebook, so actual positive feelings toward these posts are probably much higher.)  Not surprisingly, they are mostly substantial posts with some long-term relevance.  Did you miss any of them?

• The Silicon Valley Shuttles, Revealed.  240 likes
• Paris: The Bus Stop of the Future.  231 likes.
• On Cities, Conservatives, and Getting Past the Boredom.  99 likes.
• Auckland: How Network Redesign Can Transform a City's Possibilities.  66 likes.
• Portland: The Urban Grid is 30 Years Old; Thank a Planner!  65 likes.
• The Photo that Explains Almost Everything.  54 likes.
• Urban Designers Are from Mars, Transit Planners Are from Venus.  44 likes.
• The Atlantic Wonders if Transit is Failing White People.  40 likes, but more important, see my Atlantic Cities article that grew out of this post, here.
• How Auditors Get Transit Wrong: A Lesson from Vancouver.  31 likes.

But if enjoy philosophical conversation at all, the most fun post of the year is probably:

• Socrates Visits the Federal Transit Administration,  29 likes, but since when did philosophers care about likes?

Happy New Year.

human transit: an investment opportunity!

Just noticed this on my Amazon listing:

• 9 new from $32.16.  3 used from $86.16

Just published, and already over $50 of clean profit on resale!  You should really buy boxes of them, shouldn't you?  ;-)

new "coming events" sidebar

Upcoming lectures are now in the far right column under my photo -->

Do you have a sponsoring organization that could handle the modest cost of bringing me to your city?  If so, click the email button (also under my photo) and let's talk!

australia / new zealand readers!

My book may well be out in Australia/NZ even before it comes out in North America.  NewSouth Books, the book's Australia/NZ distributor, plans to print books in Sydney instead of waiting for them to make the long flight.  This saves carbon emissions while getting the books out faster, probably by mid-December at the latest.  They'll also be offering a 20% discount for Aus/NZ customers who order off their site.  You can pre-order now.  (It encourages them to print more!)

Here's New South's flyer promoting the book, which you're welcome to print, share with friends, and leave modestly lying about:  Download Human Transit flyer(2).

Back to usual programming soon!  (Finger is better, thanks.)

 

we have a date: "december 5 or so"

I just signed off on the very, very last proofs of the book.  Island Press's copyeditor has advised me to expect books out by "about Dec 5 or so."

Have you read the introduction and table of contents?  If not, please have a look now.  I hope it will be clear that the book is unique in trying to make transit choices clear to the interested general reader, including elected officials, advocates, and professionals in related fields.

I will be based in Portland throughout Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, but also have trips planned in that range to Auckland NZ, eastern Australia, Washington DC, Seattle, and possibly South Florida.  Other trips are possible depending on honoraria etc.  I'm obviously keen for opportunities to do public lectures sponsored by reasonably prominent organizations or institutions.  If you know one, please let them know.

And if you've already decided you're looking forward to reading it, why not preorder?  It's also on Amazon, and quite possibly your favorite book website.

 

strategic minds vs physical objects

Sunday I sliced off the very tip of my right index finger while searching for a pair of scissors in the suitcase.  The doctor called it a "guillotine wound." 

As a touch typist, I've been contemplating topics that might be discussed without using the letters J, H, M, N, U, and Y, but the more likely outcome is a week or two of hiatus.  Send brilliant guest posts!

not a hiatus but ...

... but there are moments in the life of a consultant when project needs spill over and consume all of your time, even threatening sleep.  I may not post again until the weekend, but I am still here.  High-quality guest posts, or recommended cross-posts, are welcome!  

in seattle next 3 days ...

... but probably not with much spare time for non-work, non-marketing items.  I'm the lunchtime speaker on Monday at the APTA Multimodal Operations Planning Workshop, and will be at the conference through Wednesday.  It's always a good source of planning stories so I expect to emerge with some material, though maybe not time to write about it.

This is a very busy time for me between the 1.5 jobs and the book, so remember, we welcome quality guest posts -- or even just stories from a thoughtful "correspondent," like this guy, that I can publish with just a little commentary. 

network design course: the next step

Since I began offering my short course in network design, I've gotten many emails asking whether I'm going to do it again, and in what cities. The answer is that each session of the course needs a local sponsor, and as soon as I hear from one, I'm keen to help make it happen.

To help that process along, I now have a page advertising the course. Please mention it to any organizations that you think should offer it!